Electric switch.



"No. 885,345. PATENTED APR. 21, 1908.

I B. HUGHES & H. N. YOUNG.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

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. PATENTED APR. 21, 1908. B. HUGHES & H. N. YOUNG.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.-

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ITNITED OFFICE.

BENJAMIN HUGHES, or MONTREAL, AND HERBERT NOEL YOUNG, or ROGKFIELD, QUEBEC, CANADA.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 21, 1908.

Application filed October 1, 1904. Serial No. 226,782.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, BENJAMIN HUGnEs, residing at the city of Montreal, district of Montreal, in the Province of Quebec, Canada, and HERBERT NOEL YOUNG, residing at Rockfield, county of IIochelaga, in the Province of Quebec, Canada, both subjects of the King of Great Britain, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Switches; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in electrically operated switch or semaphore mechanism, which is so ar ranged that operating mechanism placed in convenient proximity to such switch or semaphore is held normally in relatively fixed position with open circuit, which is adapted to be closed when a car or a train of cars is brought into such convenient proximity thereto that a magnetic needle is influenced by means carried by said car or train to close the switch or semaphore circuit and bring into operation certain means for throwing said switch or semaphore, all as hereinafter more fully described and specifically set forth in the claims.

In the drawings, in which similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views. Figure 1 is a ground plan view showing the invention in position ready for use. Fig. 2- is a section taken approximately through the front part of a car and the upper portion of the ground, showing a track equipped with the invention. Fig. 3 is a plan view of a non-magnetic box or casing containing the circuit closing means located in the ground. Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken approximatel on line 55 of said Fig. 3, showing a slight y modified form of construction. Fig. 6 is a plan view of a switch tongue with its inclosing casing equipped with the shifting rod of the invention. Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail fragmentary plan view of aportion of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 88 of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a detached detail view illustrating the bell crank lever connected with the solenoid hereinafter referred to, and the switch operating from said solenoids respectively to posts 5, 5

and 6, 6" respectively, which posts serve as supporting means for the terminals hereinafter described in the casin 7 wherein is suspended the magnetic need e 8, hereinafter referred to. Connected with the posts 6 and 6 are terminals 9 and 10 respectively, with which cooperate the contact pin 11, which is carried in a sleeve or cap 12, which sleeve or cap is in turn rigidly connected with the polarized needle or bar 8, which is supported upon the post 14, and may be grounded to the case 7, but which may be connected in any desired manner, so that when circuit is closed from the batteryl, or other suitable source of supply, throughanyone of the so lenoids and contact pin 11, the circuit will be completed.

The needles or bars 8 are shown in the dia grammatic view of Fig. 10' as grounded through the circuit 15, which illustrates one method of completing such circuit. As will be evident, the bars 16 of the solenoid rod will occupy a neutral position when no current is passing through any of such solenoids, and the disks 17 on said rods will occupy a position approximately midway between the solenoids. Connected with the rods 16, are slotted bell crank levers 18, in one arm of which the slot 19 is provided to accommodate a pin as 20, adapted to ride in said slot and be connected with the solenoid rod 16, whereby, upon moving said solenoid bar longitudinally, the bell crank lever will be rocked upon its pivot 21. The opposite end of said bell crank lever being slotted at 22 to accommodate a similar connection with the switch operating rod 23, when the solenoid bar is moved longitudinally, said rod 23 will be actuated to throw the switch tongue 24.

The casing 7, in which is supported the magnetic needle referred to, is properly positioned within the housing A with a permaample,

nent magnet 25 su ported in said housing A in such position tiat the poles thereof will rest in approximate alinement with the track rails, with which the present invention is to be used, thereby holding through magnetic attraction the needle or bar 8 approximately parallel with said rails, in the preferred form of the invention.

Supported intermediate the poles of the permanent magnet 25, are pole pieces 26, terminating at 27in contact with the casing 7,.

said pole pieces 26 being supported within the casing 28 by means of set-screws 29, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The pole pieces 26 preferably extend above the cap plates 30 of the casing A, so that the ends of such pole pieces may extend a slight distance above the surface of the ground so as to extend the zone of magnetic attraction hereinafter referred to.

Carried by the car B are electro magnets 31 and 32, which are in circuit with the battery 33 through the switch-b0 ard 34, which is shown in Fig. 10. The poles of the magnets 31 and 32 extend downwardly, as shown in Fig. 2, into juxtaposition to the pole pieces 26, so that when circuit is carried through the windings of said magnets 31 and 32, the terminals 27 of the pole pieces 26 will exert the required magnetic attraction upon the bar 8, for the proper operation of the device. Changing the direction of the current so that the positive and negative poles of the mag nets 31 and 32 will be shifted electrically, will cause differential movement of the bars 8 when said magnets 31 and 32 are brought into proximity thereto, andit will be evident that either one or both of the magnets 31 and 32 may by suitable electrical connections be energized for the required purpose.

Assuming that the casing A is placed as shown in the plan view, Fig. 1, and a car equipped with the magnets 31 and 32 having pole pieces projecting downwardly as indi cated shall pass over said casing A containing the mechanism described, if said magnets are not energized no result will follow, and if the magnet upon the side of the track corresponding with said casing A is energized, the magnetic needle or bar 8 will be thrown either to the right or left into contact with the terminal 9 or 10, according to the direction of the circuit through the magnet passing thereover, and it will be evident that if the current through said magnet is reversed, the needle will be thrown in-the opposite direction so as to make contact with the other of said terminals. Assuming, for exthat the device is arranged as shown, and the switch tongue 24 is in the position indicated. If it is desired to throw said switch tongue to the left so that the car may pass upon the switch D from the track C, the switch 34 is thrown to carry the pointer 37 to the right, whereupon the solenoid 4 will be energized, the bar 16 will be drawn in a direction toward the approaching car, the bell crank lever 18 will be rocked to the position 18 shown in dotted lines in Fig. 9, and

the rod 23 will draw said switch tongue toward. the inner side of the trac' rail C, thereby opening the switch to permit passage of the car to the right. Throwing the switch in the opposite direction will change the direction of the circuit to throw the switch in. an opposite direction.

The circuits through the solenoids at the right and left sides of the track may be controlled at the will of the motorm an by throwing the arm of the switch 34 in the required direction, and any desired n'ian-ipulati'on ol' the several switches along the line may be accomplished in this manner.

It is to be understood that the several cases A with their inclosed mechanism shall be located at such convenient distances from the switch tongues that the position and operation of the track switches may be observed before a car reaches such tracl: switches If a switch is in the correct position corresponding to the set arrangement of the arm 34 of the switch 34, no action of the switch tongue will follow, but if the switch tongues are not positioned as desired, the proper solenoid or solenoids will be energized, and, through the means described, the said switches will be thrown. It will be noted that the switch. operating rod 23 is slotted at 39 for the pin 40,. which passes through the plate 41 into the switch tongue 24, while the switch casting 43 is provided with an oifset 44 recessed for the end of the rod 23. Below the tongue 24 is the plate 41, which serves as a support for the said. tongue, and lateral recesses 45 are provided in the switch casting to permit said plate to move transversely of the casting 43, whereby it is freed from aecumulations of snow or ice if desired. ,The slot 39 in the rod 23 permits the switch tongue to be manually operated if desired without disturbing the electrically operated mechanism referred to.

As will be observed in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the non-magnetic case 7 rests upon the permanent magnet 25 within the casing 28, which is in turn inclosed within the ground casing A. Crossing the case 7 is a supporting bar 45, which carries the insulation strip 46, in which is held the posts 6, 6 carrying the terminals 9 and 10 &c., so that said terminals are insulated from said case 7. Connected with the casing 28 is a strip of insulation 47 in which are held the posts 48, to which run the solenoid wires 1*. In Fig. 1 the feed wire 1 to the solenoids is shown entering the ground as from any suitable source of supply,

and it is obvious that the ground wire 15 may connect with the solenoid casing if desired.

Thus far it has been assumed, that the another pin 52.

- member 50 and 52.

mechanism described is to be used for throwing a track switch, but it is obvious that the rod 28 may extend beyond the track rails and be used for operating any suitable signal mechanism if desired. It will be observed that the bell crank lever 18 is provided with an extension. 18*, which carries the pin 50, while projecting from the bed plate 51 is Surrounding the post 21 upon which said bell crank lever is pivoted, is a spring loop 54, coiled upon the post 21 and having its free ends 55 extending approxi mately parallel and upon each side of said The pin 52 being fixed and the pin being movable with the bell crank lever 18, it will be evident that when said bell crank lever is thrown to the position 18 indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 9, the arm 55 of said spring will be distorted so that as soon as pressure is removedfrom the bell crank lever, said spring will return said lever to its normal or central position, thereby carrying the rod 23 and switch tongue 24 to normal position. This will happen when the actuating solenoid is deenergized.

Referring to Fig. 5, it will be noted that the bar 8 is provided with a downwardly extending perforated lug 8, while the stud 7 projects from the case 7 and a spring 7 connects the lug 8 with said stud so as to normally hold the bar 8 in approximate alinement with the track rails O, in which case it will be evident that the permanent magnet 25' may be dispensed with as said spring 7 performs relatively the same function. with respect to .the bar 8, as the only object of the magnet and spring referred to is to hold said bar in a position intermediate the terminals 9 and 10, so that the contact arm or needle 11 may close circuit through said terminals when brought into'contact therewith.

While we have shown in the accompanying drawings the preferred form of our invention, it will be understood that we do not limit ourselves to the precise form shown, for

many of the details may be changed in form, -or position without affecting the operativeness or utility of our invention, and we therefore reserve the right to make all such modifications as are included within the scope of the following claims, or of mechanical equivalents to the structures set forth.

Having described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1s:

1. In an electrically operable switch, a rotatably mounted polarized circuit-closing member, and a terminal in the line of move ment of said polarized member in combination with means for holding the same in position to normally break circuit, and a magnet adapted to move said olarized member.

2. In an electrically operable switch, a

polarized circuit closing member, terminals, and a magnet adapted to normally hold said polarized member away from one of said ter minals, in combination with a second magnet adapted to move said polarized member to contact with said terminal to close circuit.

3. In an electrically operable switch, a polarized circuit closing member, a magnet adapted to hold said member in position to break circuit, in combination with a second magnet adapted to move said circuit closing means.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, an electrically operated reciprocatory switch operating rod, actuating means therefor, terminals, circuit connections between said terminals and said actuating means, and a polarized bar yieldingly supported between said terminals.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, an electrically operated reciprocatory switch operating rod, actuating means therefor, terminals, circuit connections between said terminals and said actuating means, and a polarized, vibratory, bar yieldingly supported between said terminals.

6. In an apparatus of the character described,'an electrically operated reciprocatory switch operating rod, actuating means therefor, terminals, circuit connections between said terminals and said actuating means, and a bar yieldingly supported between said terminals, in combination with a magnet fixed in position with relation to said bar.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, an electrically operated reciprocatory switch operating rod, actuating means therefor, terminals, circuit connections between said terminals and said actuating means, and a bar yieldingly supported between said terminals, in combination with a magnet fixed in position with relation to said bar, and pole pieces projecting laterally from the poles of said magnet.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, an electrically operated reciprocatory member, actuating means therefor, terminals, circuit connections between said terminals and said actuating means, and a bar yieldingly supported between said terminals, in combination with a magnet fixed in position with relation to said bar, pole pieces intermediatethe poles of said magnet, and movable electro magnets adapted to cooperate with said pole pieces.

9. In an a paratus of the character described, an eectrically operated reciprocatory member, actuating means therefor, terminals, circuit connections between said terminals and said actuatin means, and a pivotally supported bar yiel ingly supported between sai terminals, in combination with a magnet fixed in-position with relation to said bar, pole pieces intermediate the poles of said magnet, and movable electro magnets adapted to cooperate with said pole pieces.

10. In an apparatus of the character de scribed, an electrically operated reciprocatory member, actuating means therefor, terminals, circuit connections between said terminals and said actuating means, and a vibratory bar yieldingly supported between said terminals, in combination with a magnet fixed in position with relation to said bar, pole pieces intermediate the poles of said magnet, and movable electro magnets adapted to cooperate with said pole pieces.

11. In an apparatus of the character de scribed, an electrically operated reciprocatory member actuating means therefor, terminals, circuit connections between said terminals and said actuating means, and a polarized bar yieldingly supported between said terminals, in combination with a magnet fixed in position with relation to said bar, pole pieces intermediate the poles of said magnet, and movable electro magnets adapted to cooperate with said pole pieces.

12. In an apparatus of the character described, an electrically operated reciprocatory member, actuating means therefor, terminals, circuit connections between said terminals and said actuatin means,'and a polarized, vibratory, bar yieldingly supported between said terminals, in combination with a magnet fixed in position with relation to said bar, pole pieces intermediate the poles of said magnet, and movable electro magnets adapted to cooperate with said pole pieces.

13. In an apparatus of the character described, an electrically operated reciprocatory member, means for operating the same, terminals in circuit with said operating means, polarized circuit closing means, a switch operating rod and an intermediate bell crank lever connected with said reciprocatory member.

14. Inan apparatus of the character described, an electrically operated reciprocatory member, means for o crating the same, terminals in circuit wit said operating means, polarized circuit closing means, a switch rod and a bell crank lever connected with said reciprocatory member and with said rod.

15. In an apparatus of the character described, an electrically o erated reciprocatory switch operating ro ,means for oper ating the same, terminals in circuit with said operating means, polarized circuit closing means, and switch operating means connected with said reciprocatory member.

16. In an apparatus of the character described, an electrically operated reciprocatory member, means for operating the same, a bell crank lever operable by said reci rocatory member, terminals in circuit wit said operating means, polarized circuit closing means, means for holding said circuit closing means normally in relatively fixed position,

and a switch rod connected with said bell crank lever.

17. In an apparatus of the character described, a plurality of solenoids, a switch operating bar, a bell crank lever between said bar and said solenoids, a solenoid bar cooperating with. said bell crank lever, terminals in circuit with said solenoids, a polarized member between said terminals, and means adapted to be carried by a passing car for cl plsing circuit through either of said solen- 01 s.

18. In an apparatus of the character described, a plurality of solenoids, a switch operating bar, a bell crank lever between said bar and said solenoids, means for holding said bell crank lever normally in a relatively central position, a solenoid bar cooperating with said bell crank lever, terminals in circuit with said solenoids, a polarized member between said terminals, and means adapted to be carried by a passing car for clolsing circuit through either of said solen- 016 s.

19. In a switch, a reciprocatory switch operating rod, a horizontally movable and rotatably mounted polarized circuit closing member, a terminal in the line of horizontal movement of said member and a magnet adapted to control the same to normally break a circuit.

20. In an apparatus adapted to control a movable member, the combination compris ing a reciprocatory switch operating rod, terminals, actuating means, circuit connec tions between said terminals and said actuating means, a polarized bar yieldingly supported on a vertical pivot in proximity to said terminals, a vertical pivot and means for moving said polarized bar.

21. .In an apparatus adapted to control a movable member, a reciprocatory switch operating rod, terminals, a solenoid, circuit connections between said terminals and said solenoid, a polarized bar yieldin ly supported in proximity to said termina s, a vertical pivot on which said bar is rotatably mounted and a magnet adapted to move said polarized bar to close said circuit through said terminals.

22. In an apparatus adapted to control a movable member, a reciprocatory switch operating rod, normally denergized actuating means, terminals in normally interrupted circuit therewith, a rotatably mounted polarized member adapted to rotate to close said circuit and a magnet adapted to move said polarized member to close said circuit.

23. In an apparatus of the character de scribed, a reciprocatory switch operating rod, a magnetically o erable actuating means in combination witli an electro magnet and a rotatably mounted magnetized member adapted to be moved in a horizontal plane by said magnet to close circuit to said actuating means.

24. In a magnetically operable apparatus adapted to move a reciprocatory element, a relatively fixed member and a movable member, a magnet supported by one member, a polarized bar carried by the other member, circuit terminals adapted to contact with said polarized bar and a solenoid in circuit with said terminals.

25. In an apparatus of the character described, a reciprocatory switch operating rod,

magnetically operable actuating means in normally interrupted circuit a magnet adapted to normally hold said means in said normally interrupted circuit and means for closing said circuit from a traveling magnet, in combination with a traveling magnet.

26. In an apparatus of the character described, a reciprocatory switch operating rod, a rotatably mounted magnetized member in normally interrupted circuit and means for closing said circuit from a magnet on a passing car or other body, in combination with said traveling magnet.

27. In an apparatus of the character described, a reciprocatory switch operating rod, a magnetically operable actuating means, a vibratory magnetized member rotatably mounted and adapted to close circuit to said actuating means and an electro magnet adapted to deflect said vibratory member to close said circuit. p

28. In a circuit closing means, a reciprocatory switch operatingrod, a vertical spindle, a polarized bar rotatably mounted thereon, a terminal in the line of movement of said polarized bar, means for holding said polarized bar normally out of contact with said terminal, and a magnet adapted to rotate said bar on its s indle to cause it to contact with said terminal when the magnet and polarized bar are in substantial coincidence.

29. In a circuit closing means, a reciprocatory switch operating rod, a receptacle, a vertical spindle therein, a terminal projecting into said receptacle, a rotatable polarized. bar supported by said spindle, means for holding said bar normally out of contact with said terminal and a.mag'net adapted to be brought into such relation to said polarized bar as to cause it to contact with said terminal.

In witness whereof we have'hereunto set our hands in the presence of two witnesses.

BENJAMIN HUGHES. HERBERT NOEL YOUNG. Witnesses:

FREDERICK H. GIBBs, JOHN F. DEUFLERWIEL. 

